opefully the selection and call of a new pastor for a church does not occur often. But when lay leaders are required to search and select a new pastor, they are often inexperienced with the biblical guidelines and some key aspects of the process. This document provides an overview of suggested organizational activities involved in the process of selecting a pastor. The details must be adapted to each unique church. The primary focus of this document is to provide some spiritual guidance that might be missed or ignored resulting in tragedy in the months and years following the selection of a new pastor. Lord willing, this document will prove to be an encouragement and blessing to those who have the wonderful task of searching for a new shepherd of the sheep. The following thoughts are the result of someone asking if voting for a pastor was like casting lots. The answer to their question was, “Yes, if biblical principles are not followed.”

Throwing The Lots. When a pastor leaves a church either of his own choice or because he was asked to leave, church leaders start looking for another pastor. The search for a pastor begins by selecting a Call Committee, Search Committee, or some group of people who have the responsibility to find a new pastor. The first mistake the Call Committees often make is that they decide to look for someone who does not have the weaknesses of the last pastor. They usually want someone who has strengths that the other pastor did not have. They want an “improved model.” This is especially true if there were problems with the last pastor. For example, if the last pastor was not a “people person” or was not very charismatic, the Call Committee often decides that they want a pastor who is more loving and charismatic. Or, if the last pastor had few organizational skills, the Call Committee often decides that they want a pastor who is more of an administrator. Most Call Committees look for a pastor who is thirty to fifty years of age. They often want someone who is married and has at least one child. They may seek someone who was a pastor of a larger church and is an eloquent preacher. The Call Committee often wants someone who has a “sense of humor” and preaches about 25-30 minutes. They typically look for someone who is a graduate of an approved seminary or was on the staff of a well-known church. If the church is young, they might look for a young pastor with a vision for reaching the younger generation. The goal might be to increase church attendance.